myTobago – your questions, review and comment about Tobago

The facilities at the Naturalist are well-appointed and comfortable and the location is quite nice.

Otherwise, we had a very unpleasant experience at the Naturalist.

Prior to arrival I had contacted Ancle via email (on this site) and been quoted a rate of $55 a night. When we arrived in Castara, the office girls (who were neither friendly nor unfriendly) informed us the rate was $60 -- regardless of what we'd been told. We took a room -- (the Salmon) still a little unsure of what the price would ultimately be.

As we prepared to go into town -- (and after the girls had left for the day) Ancle returned. We chatted briefly and more or less pleasantly, but several minutes later as we were walking down the driveway, Ancle stopped us (accosted us really.) And began deriding us as one would expect an unkind boss to do to do to an employee -- in other words, in a way that was completely unacceptable between an owner and a guest... He wanted to clarify what the girls had written about the cost earlier in the day -- and, again his tone was that of an unpleasant supervisor talking down to someone -- Once he was comfortable with our answers... My bf asked him why he had quoted $55 in the email if that wasn't in fact the price -- Ancle snapped back "Did you confirm that price with me?"

At that point we realized that we weren't going to get anywhere rationally and $5 is only $5. We left and enjoyed our evening in Castara -- HOWEVER, knowing that Ancle was back at the premises made us rethink our initial plan to cook dinner in the room and we ate in town instead. I don't think that anyone should be made to feel uncomfortable in a place they are paying to stay. Perhaps he was having a bad day -- but taking it out on your customers is a sure way to ensure bad worth of mouth among former guests. While we wouldn't hesitate to recommend other places we stayed in T and T... Ancle's gets a huge thumbs down! Oh -- and I should add that we aren't 4 star travelers accustomed to fine service -- but we've both felt much, much more at home in divey hostels the world over than at this "resort."

Dear Jennifer,
I was horrified to read your comments concerning The Naturalist, Castara. I have been staying there regularly for the last 8 years with various student groups and have nothing but praise for Ancle and his staff. We have only been met with extreme kindness and consideration in all circumstances and you can imagine that with up to 14 students per fortnight visit, our visits are never straightforward. Ancle has always been supportive, understanding and has gone out of his way to make my job as leader as easy as possible. I highly recommend the Naturalist to anybody who wants to stay in a friendly and well run guest house in a lovely location in a delightful village.
Kathryn

It is always difficult to comment about any story if you were not present their yourself, but I can see all too clearly how these situations can arise. Tobago is not a country where they will smile and bid you a good day having done unmentionable things in your soup a few minutes earlier - Tobagonians will make their feelings patently obvious from the moment you upset their sensibilities. Personally, I appreciate that honesty; but equally I can understand how it can be perceived by some travellers.

All I can say is that Ancle and his staff have my full support.

Ancle has asked me to post this response on his behalf:

Dear Ms. Ifer,

Sorry you were'nt happy with your stay, yes you did enquire about rates and was given a reply, you turned up seeking accomodation and (Jeremy) your bf after seeing the rooms proceeded to complete the registration form for Bonito for two nights but changed to Salmon,when you came and decided one night,My Supervisor informed you that we do not do one night stay , however , if we were to do one night it is requested you pay an additional us 5, you agreed and took the room.

About one hour later you lost your key to the room and requested another key, i gave you another key and informed you if the orriginal was not found you will be charged TTD 50 to replace it, (Jeremy) your bf replied that he took up my ring from off the fish pond in front the building and gave it to the receptionist and thinks he should'nt pay for the key, i told him the ring is my personal and the key is the business.

I further noticed that both of you were acting in a very suspicious manner so i went closer to the room , i heard you telling Jeremy,,''turn it off, turn it off'' and realise you were leaving and the microwave was on, i asked both of you, tactically, ''why are you drying clothes in the microwave?'' you replied,,''oh no, it's our pass port'' i asked ,,pass port? in the microwave? paper in the microwave? are you fire hazzard people?, you explained,,'' we thought as we lost the key we will leave them in the microwave working as we just go to the beach and back''.

As manager i should have cancelled your contract and asked you to leave which i did not, i was not even angry but cautioned you about the danger you posed in behaviour like this.

Unfortunately you found a perfic place in the forum to do your mischief without saying anything about your behaviour and been a stranger of the truth but took the opertunity to try and deface the business and my name .

Please try and mend your ways as you continue to travel around the world
Respectfully yours
Ancle

I have to stand by Ancle on this.

I have known Ancle for many years and he and his Manager, Mary-Ann, have run the business in a very civil and accomodating manner.

Yes ... I agree, if you do silly things then Ancle will tell you about it and put you straight ... if he has things to say then you should understand he is looking out for your best interests and you should respect his word ... end of ... he is your host and he will look after you as he has done me.

If you agree terms by email or whatever then take print outs of your agreements and he will honour them.

As far as I am concerned, Ancle is a decent and straight man who has run his business successfully for many years ... and many more years than alot of the other local establishments ... he won't join clubs as he would prefer to form his own and values his own independence and the (repeated) custom he has generated over the years ... to that end ... this is a non issue to him ... it is an indication of the measure of the man that he took the trouble to even respond to this accusation.

I hope that Ancle's response (which probably took an hour or 2) did not deprive others of his service.

Keep it up Ancle and don't let the buggers get you down.

Regards

I read the review by Ms Ifer about The Naturalist in Castara, Tobago and was very surprised by some of her comments. We have been visiting Castara and staying at The Naturalist for several years, and in fact are returning in February for our fifth visit. Many, if not most, of Ancle’s guests are repeat visitors. The reason we keep going back is that Ancle and his staff have always treated us to a level of service, courtesy and friendliness way beyond the “budget hotel” category. Ancle himself has always been the perfect host: friendly, informative, relaxed, accommodating and helpful at all times. I cannot understand how wires got crossed so thoroughly in the case of Ms Ifer, but I would hate people to think her experience is the norm, because it most definitely is not.

I'd like to add the opinions of two very satisfied Yanks. Ancle George is very professional yet warm in his interactions with his guests & that's one of the reasons that there are so many repeat customers. I'm sure that the woman who wrote that review had no idea that Steve Wooler monitors the forum so closely and encourages property owners to respond to negative reports! Thanks to Steve for doing his job so well & thanks to Ancle for writing such a comprehensive rebuttle. Ancle has put everything he has (heart, soul and sweat) into the Naturalist & he deserves nothing but praise for his efforts. Dick & I are looking to returning in 2010.

I am sorry that you had a problem in Tobago. I have had the destinct pleasure of staying at The Naturalist Resort and have nothing but praise for the Resort, it's staff and particularly Ancle. I found that it is very easy to solve any problem with simple discussion any where in Tobago. ( I have been there more than once.) I never had to try to resolve anything at the Naturalist because everything was as advertised and more. Ancle went out of his way on different occasions to ensure that my holiday was perfect. Ancle even went so far as to drive me and my girlfriend to the airport in my rental car because I was feeling ill. The car was returned there and he had to find his own way home. If that is not going above and beyond for a guest then I guess I don't know what is. I would encourage anyone who is thinking of travelling to Tobago to do so with complete confidence in the honesty and integrity of the population. I would also highly recomend a stay at the Naturalist Resort. You will find the accomodation clean and well appointed, the staff helpfull and efficient and Ancle is a true treasure. I travel all over the world and have not yet found a man with such compassion and dedication to his clients, friends and family.

Respectfully yours.

Matt

We've just seen this Guest Report. We agree with the gist of the other replies. We stayed at The Naturalist for 3 weeks about 6 years ago and we had a wonderful stay there. Ancle and Anne Marie were great to us. Everything was done in a fair, efficient and friendly way. Ancle generously took us out one evening to the Roxborough Queen Show just to be friendly. We have remained friends ever since. Ancle has a strong character and if something is going wrong he will say so.
Steve and Jacquie Salfield
Derbyshire, UK